Agricultural adjuvant compositions, pesticide compositions, and methods for using such compositions

ABSTRACT

Pesticide compositions containing an adjuvant which contains, based on 100 parts by weight of the adjuvant, (a) greater than about 50 parts by weight of at least one alkyl fatty acid ester, (b) from about 2 parts by weight to less than about 5 parts by weight of a surfactant comprising: (b)(i) one or more anionic surfactants selected from sulfonic acids, sulfonic acid esters, alkylsulfosuccinic acid esters, phosphate esters, sulfate esters, and oleoyltaurate salts, or (b)(ii) one or more non-ionic surfactants selected from sorbitan fatty acid esters, aryl alkoxylates, alkoxylated fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty acids, alkoxylated triglycerides, alkoxy copolymers, alkylpolyglucosides, alkoxylated fatty amines, and ether amines, or (iii) a mixture (b)(i) and (b)(ii), exhibit improved performance, particularly when sprayed through a flat fan spray nozzle, an air induction spray nozzle, or other spray nozzle and at a pressure of from about 10 pounds per square inch to about 100 pounds per square inch.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.14/489,171, filed Sep. 17, 2014, which is a divisional of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/401,625, filed Apr. 11, 2006, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/227,050, filed Sep. 15,2005, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/610,051 filed Sep. 15, 2004, the contents of each of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to agricultural adjuvant compositions, pesticidecompositions, and methods for using such compositions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pesticide compositions, for example, herbicide compositions containingN-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (“glyphosate”), are typically applied totarget plants by spraying. A portion of the spray droplets are typicallyvery small, for example, less than about 200 microns, which are subjectto off-target movement, termed “drift”. Drift is undesirable because itreduces the amount of active herbicide applied to the target plant andrisks unintended application of the active herbicide to non-targetplants.

Common approaches to reducing drift are to add a thickening agent, forexample, polysaccharides, polyacrylamides, to the herbicide composition,and/or to control process variables, such as by reducing spray pressure,or to using a spray nozzle, for example, an air induction spray nozzle,that is designed to reduce drift (note, however, that thickeners aretypically not used in combination with air induction nozzles).

In addition, a wide variety of adjuvants, including adjuvantcompositions that containing alkylated seed oils and emulsifiers, aregenerally known for use in modifying the properties, such as efficacyagainst target pests, of agricultural pesticide formulations, includingglyphosate herbicide compositions, see, e.g., Miller, D. K., et. al.,“Johnsongrass (Sorgum halepense) Control and Rainfastness withGlyphosate and Adjuvants”, Weed Technology, 1998, Vol. 12:617-622, andU.S. Pat. No. 6,432,884 BI. In this example the adjuvant mainly consistsof a silicone surfactant as well as alkylated seed oil and nonionicsurfactants. Silicone based surfactants are known to be unstable inacidic and basic conditions. Generally the optimum pH for thesesurfactants is in the range of 6 to 8 (Murphy et al., Proc Brighton CropProt Conf—Weeds 1991). Among other disadvantages of silicone surfactantsare the incompatibility with non-silicone adjuvants, reduced activity ofherbicides due to spray run-offs or quick evaporation. On the otherhand, some authoritative sources have discouraged use of oil adjuvantswith glyphosates, e.g., North Dakota State University's 2004 NorthDakota Weed control Guide states, at pg 71, that “glyphosate shouldnever be used with oil adjuvants because glyphosate is very watersoluble (water+oil do not mix)”.

There remains a continuing interest in efficient spray application ofpesticide compositions, particularly glyphosate compositions, to targetplants with minimal drift, while maintaining high efficacy against suchtarget plants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to an adjuvantcomposition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight (“pbw”) of theadjuvant composition:

-   -   (a) greater than about 50 pbw of at least one alkyl fatty acid        ester,    -   (b) from about 2 pbw to less than about 5 pbw of a surfactant        comprising:        -   (i) one or more anionic surfactants selected from sulfonic            acids, sulfonic acid esters, alkylsulfosuccinic acid esters,            phosphate esters, sulfate esters, and oleoyltaurate salts,            or        -   (ii) one or more non-ionic surfactants selected from            sorbitan fatty acid esters, aryl alkoxylates, alkoxylated            fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty acids, alkoxylated            triglycerides, alkoxy copolymers, alkylpolyglucosides,            alkoxylated fatty amines, and ether amines, or        -   (iii) a mixture (b)(i) and (b)(ii).

In a second aspect, the present invention is directed to a pesticidecomposition, comprising, based on 100 pbw of the pesticide composition:

-   -   (a) from about 0.02 pbw to about 7 pbw of at least one alkyl        fatty acid ester,    -   (b) from about 0.001 pbw to about 0.35 pbw of a surfactant        comprising:        -   (i) one or more anionic surfactants selected from sulfonic            acids, sulfonic acid esters, alkylsulfosuccinic acid esters,            phosphate esters, sulfate esters, and oleoyltaurate salts,            or        -   (ii) one or more non-ionic surfactants selected from            sorbitan fatty acid esters, aryl alkoxylates, alkoxylated            fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty acids, alkoxylated            triglycerides, alkoxy copolymers, alkylpolyglucosides,            alkoxylated fatty amines, and ether amines, or        -   (iii) a mixture (b)(i) and (b)(ii), and    -   (c) an effective amount of a pesticide.

In a third aspect, the present invention is directed to a method fortreating a target plant, comprising spraying onto foliage of the targetplant, through a flat fan spray nozzle, an air induction spray nozzle,or other spray nozzle and at a pressure of from about 10 pounds persquare inch (“psi”) to about 100 psi, a pesticide compositioncomprising, based on 100 pbw of the pesticide composition:

-   -   (a) from about 0.025 pbw to about 7 pbw of at least one alkyl        fatty acid ester,    -   (b) from about 0.001 pbw to about 0.35 pbw of a surfactant        comprising:        -   (i) one or more anionic surfactants selected from sulfonic            acids, sulfonic acid esters, alkylsulfosuccinic acid esters,            phosphate esters, sulfate esters, and oleoyltaurate salts,            or        -   (ii) one or more non-ionic surfactants selected from            sorbitan fatty acid esters, aryl alkoxylates, alkoxylated            fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty acids, alkoxylated            triglycerides, alkoxy copolymers, alkylpolyglucosides,            alkoxylated fatty amines, and ether amines or        -   (iii) a mixture (b)(i) and (b)(ii), and    -   (c) an effective amount of a pesticide.

The compositions and method of the present invention enable sprayapplication of pesticide to target plants at high spray pressures byenhancing canopy penetration and hence improving deposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, the term “alkyl” means a saturated straight chain,branched chain, or cyclic hydrocarbon radical, such as for example,methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl,pentyl, n-hexyl, cyclohexyl.

As used herein, the term “alkoxy” means a saturated straight chain orbranched chain ether radical, such as for example, methoxy, ethoxy,propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, the term “alkoxylated” or “alkoxylate” inreference to an organic moiety means that the moiety is substituted withone or more alkoxy groups, typically with a polyether group, such as,for example a poly(ethoxy), poly(propoxy) or poly(ethoxypropoxy) group,the term “ethoxylated” in reference to an organic moiety means that themoiety is substituted with a at least one ethoxy or poly(ethoxy) group.As used herein, the notation “(n)”, wherein n is an integer, inreference to the polyalkoxy group of an alkoxylated moiety indicates thenumber of alkoxy units in the polyalkoxy group. For example such as“ethoxylated (5) sorbitan laurate” means a sorbitan laurate alkoxylatedwith 5 moles of ethoxy units per mole of sorbitan laurate.

As used herein, the term “alkenyl” means an unsaturated straight chain,branched chain, or cyclic hydrocarbon radical that contains one or morecarbon-carbon double bonds, such as, for example, ethenyl, 1-propenyl,2-propenyl.

As used herein, the term “aryl” means an unsaturated hydrocarbon ringsystem containing one or more six-membered carbon rings in which theunsaturation may be represented by three conjugated double bonds, whichmay be substituted one or more of the ring carbons with hydrocarbon,typically alkyl or alkenyl, halo, or organohalo groups, such as, forexample, phenyl, methylphenyl, trimethylphenyl, chlorophenyl,trichloromethylphenyl.

As used herein, the term “aralkyl” means an alkyl group substituted withone or more aryl groups, such as, for example, phenylmethyl,phenylethyl, triphenylmethyl.

As used herein, the term “aralkeny” means an alkenyl group substitutedwith an aryl group, such as, for example, phenylethenyl, and phenylpropenyl.

As used herein, the terminology “(C_(n)-C_(m))” in reference to anorganic group, wherein n and m are each integers, indicates that thegroup may contain from n carbon atoms to m carbon atoms per group.

As used herein, the terminology “fatty acids” refers to saturated orunsaturated fatty acids, typically (C₆-C₂₂)fatty acids, such as, forexample, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleicacid, linoleic acid, behenic acid, erucic acid, as well as mixturesthereof, including vegetable oils, such as, for example, rapeseed oil orcanola oil, that comprise a mixture of saturated or unsaturated(C₆-C₂₂)fatty acids.

As used herein, the terminology “fatty alcohols” refers to saturated orunsaturated fatty alcohols, typically (C₆-C₂₂)fatty alcohols, such as,for example, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, oleylalcohol, linoleyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, erucyl alcohol, as well asmixtures thereof.

In one embodiment, the adjuvant composition of the present inventioncomprises, based on 100 pbw weight of such composition, from about 50 toabout 98 pbw, more typically from about 80 to about 97 pbw, of the atleast one alkyl fatty acid ester.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition of the present inventioncomprises, based on 100 pbw weight of such composition, from about 0.025to about 7 pbw, more typically from about 0.05 to about 2 pbw, of the atleast one alkyl fatty acid ester.

In one embodiment, the alkyl fatty acid ester comprises at least one(C₁-C₆)alkyl ester of a saturated or unsaturated (C₆-C₂₂) fatty acid,such as, for example, methyl laurate, methyl stearate, ethyl stearate,methyl oleate, ethyl oleate, butyl oleate.

In one embodiment, the adjuvant composition of the present inventioncomprises, based on 100 pbw weight of such composition, from about 1 toabout 5, more typically from about 2 to about 4.5 pbw, and even moretypically from about 2 to about 4 pbw, surfactant.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition of the present inventioncomprises, based on 100 pbw weight of such composition, from about 0.001to about 7 pbw, from about 0.025 to about 7 pbw, and even more typicallyfrom about 0.05 to about 2 pbw, surfactant.

In one embodiment, the surfactant component of adjuvant composition ofthe present invention comprises, based on 100 pbw weight of suchcomposition, from about 0.1 to about 2 pbw, more typically from about0.25 to about 1.5 pbw, and even more typically from about 0.5 to about1.5 pbw, of the anionic surfactant, and from about 0.2 to about 4 pbw,more typically from about 0.4 to about 4 pbw, and even more typicallyfrom about 1 to about 3 pbw, of the nonionic surfactant.

In one embodiment, the surfactant component of the pesticide compositionof the present invention comprises, based on 100 pbw weight of suchcomposition, from about 0.0001 to about 1 pbw, more typically from about0.0002 to about 0.5 pbw, of the anionic surfactant, and from about0.0005 to about 1.5 pbw, more typically from about 0.0001 to about 1pbw, of the nonionic surfactant.

In one embodiment, the surfactant component of the pesticide compositionof the present invention comprises, based on 100 pbw weight of suchcomposition, from about 0.01 to about 3 pbw, more typically from about0.05 to about 1.5 pbw, of the anionic surfactant, and from about 0.01 toabout 4.5 pbw, more typically from about 0.05 to about 1 pbw, of thenonionic surfactant.

Suitable sulfonic acids and sulfonic acid esters include alkyl sulfonicacids, alkylsulfonates, arylsulfonic acids, and arylsulfonates, moretypically (C₈-C₃₀)alkylsulfonic acids, (C₈-C₃₀)alkylsulfonates,(C₈-C₃₀)arylsulfonic acids, and (C₈-C₃₀)aryl sulfonates, which may eachbe partially or completely in form of a salt, typically an alkali metalor ammonium salt. The aryl moiety of such arylsulfonic acids andarylsulfonic acid esters may optionally be substituted with one of moresaturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon groups, typically (C₄-C₁₆)alkyl or(C₄-C₁₆)alkenyl groups. Specific examples of suitable sulfonic acids andsulfonic acid esters include xylene sulfonic acid, phenyl sulfonic acid,methane sulfonic acid, calcium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, calciumoctadecylphenyl sulfonate, sodium tridecyl benzene sulfonate,isopropylamine dodecyl benzene sulfonate, isopropylamine tridecylbenzene sulfonate, ammonium tridecylphenyl sulfonate, disodiumalkyldiphenyloxide sulfonate, sodium alpha olefin sulfonate, andmixtures thereof.

Suitable alkylsulfosuccinic acid esters include mono- or di-esters ofalkylsulfosuccinic acids which may be may be partially or completely inform of a salt, typically an alkali metal or ammonium salt, and whichmay optionally, be alkoxylated, typically with up to about 100 moles of(C₂-C₆)alkoxyl units per mole of alkylsulfosuccinic acid ester. Specificexamples of suitable alkylsulfosuccinic acid esters include disodiummonooctylsulfosuccinate, dioctylsulfosuccinate, sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate, disodium mono-alkylphenyl ether sulfosuccinate, disodiumlauryl sulfosuccinate, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, and mixturesthereof.

Suitable phosphate esters include mono- and di-alkyl, typically(C₈-C₃₀)alkyl, and aryl, typically (C₈-C₃₀)aryl, esters of phosphoricacid, may optionally be alkoxylated, typically with up to about 100moles of (C₂-C₆)alkoxyl units per mole of phosphate ester, and may bepartially or completely in form of a salt, typically an alkali metal orammonium salt. The aryl moiety of such aryl phosphate esters mayoptionally be substituted with one of more saturated or unsaturatedhydrocarbon groups, typically (C₄-C₁₆)alkyl, (C₄-C₁₆)aryl,(C₄-C₁₆)aralkenyl, or (C₄-C₁₆)aralkenyl groups. Specific examples ofsuitable phosphate esters include ethoxylated (8) lauryl alcoholphosphate ester, ethoxylated (9) tridecyl alcohol phosphate ester,ethoxylated (15) dinonylphenol phosphate ester, ethoxylated (6)nonylphenol phosphate ester, ethoxylated (16) tristyrylphenol phosphateester, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable sulfate esters include alkyl sulfates and aryl sulfates, whichmay optionally be alkoxylated, typically with up to about 40 moles of(C₂-C₆)alkoxyl units per mole of sulfate ester, and may be partially orcompletely in form of a salt, typically an alkali metal or ammoniumsalt. The aryl moiety of such aryl sulfates may be substituted by one ormore saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon groups, typically(C₂-C₃₀)alkyl or (C₂-C₃₀)aryl groups. Suitable sulfate esters include,for example, sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodiumtridecyl sulfate, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable oleoyltaurate salts include, for example, methyl oleyltauratesodium salt.

Suitable sorbitan fatty acid esters are mono-, di-, tri-, and quaternaryfatty acid, typically saturated or unsaturated (C₆-C₂₂)fatty acid,esters of sorbitan, which may be alkoxylated with from about 2 to about100 moles (C₂-C₆)alkoxyl units per mole of sorbitan ester. Specificexamples of suitable sorbitan esters include sorbitan laurate, sorbitandilaurate, sorbitan distearate, sorbitan dioleate, sorbitan trioleate,sorbitan tetraoleate, ethoxylated (20) sorbitan laurate, propoxylated(15) sorbitan distearate, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable aryl alkoxylates include phenols, which may be substituted byone or more (C₄-C₂₀)alkyl, typically (C₄-C₁₂)alkyl, or (C₄-C₂₀)aralkylgroups that are alkoxylated with up to about 100 moles (C₂-C₆)alkoxylunits per mole of aryl alkoxylate. Specific examples of suitable arylalkoxylates include ethoxylated mono-, di- and tri-(phenylethyl)phenols, ethoxylated (20) nonylphenol, ethoxylated (15) octylphenol, andmixtures thereof.

Suitable alkoxylated fatty acids and alkoxylated fatty alcohols,typically (C₆-C₂₂) fatty acids and alkoxylated (C₆-C₂₂) fatty alcohols,are alkoxylated with up to about 60 moles (C₂-C₆)alkoxyl units per molefatty acid or fatty alcohol. Specific examples of suitable (C₆-C₂₂)fatty alcohols or (C₆-C₂₂) fatty acids include ethoxylated (15) tridecylalcohol, ethoxylated (7) lauryl alcohol, ethoxylated (20) oleyl alcohol,ethoxylated (15) stearyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable alkoxylated triglycerides include lard, tallow, peanut oil,butter oil, cottonseed oil, linseed oil, olive oil, palm oil, grapeseedoil, fish oil, soya oil, castor oil, rapeseed oil, coprah oil, coconutoil, each alkoxylated with up to about 60 moles (C₂-C₆)alkoxyl units permole triglyceride. Specific examples of suitable alkoxylatedtriglycerides include ethoxylated (30) castor oil.

Suitable alkoxy copolymers include ethoxypropoxy copolymers, such asethoxylated polyoxypropylene, ethoxylated/propoxylated alkylphenol blockco-polymers, ethoxylated/propoxylated tristyryl phenol, and mixturesthereof.

Suitable alkylpolyglucosides, include, for example,(C₈-C₁₄)alkylpolyglucosides.

Suitable alkoxylated fatty amines are alkoxylated with up to about 80moles (C₂-C₆)alkoxyl units per mole of amine and include, for example,ethoxylated (15) tallow amine, ethoxylated (30) oleyl amine, andmixtures thereof.

Suitable ether amines include isopropyloxypropyl amine,isohexyloxypropyl amine, dodecyloxypropyl amine, tetradecyloxypropylamine, linear alkyloxypropyl amine, and mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment, the surfactant component of the adjuvant compositionof the present invention comprises a mixture of one or more alkarylsulfonates and one or more sorbitan fatty acid esters and/or alkoxylatedsorbitan fatty acid esters.

In one embodiment, the surfactant component of the pesticide compositionof the present invention comprises a mixture of one or more alkarylsulfonates and one or more sorbitan fatty acid esters and/or alkoxylatedsorbitan fatty acid esters.

Suitable pesticides are biologically active compounds used to controlagricultural pests and include, for example, herbicides, plant growthregulators, crop desiccants, fungicides, bacteriocides, bacteriostats,insecticides, and insect repellants.

As used herein, the terminology “effective amount” in reference to therelative amount of a pesticide in a pesticide composition means therelative amount of pesticide that is effective to control a target pest,e.g., a target plant, fungus, bacterium, or insect, when the pesticidecomposition is applied at a given application rate.

In one embodiment, the pesticide is glyphosate herbicide and thepesticide composition is an herbicide composition that comprises aherbicidally effective amount of glyphosate.

As used herein, the terminology “an herbicidally effective amount” inreference to the relative amount of herbicide in an herbicidalcomposition means the relative amount that is effective to controlgrowth of a target plant when the herbicidal composition is sprayapplied to the target plant at a given application rate.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition comprises, based on 100 pbwof the composition, from about 5 pbw to about 85 pbw, more typicallyfrom about 30 to about 70 pbw glyphosate.

The adjuvant and pesticide compositions of the present invention mayeach optionally further comprise one or more fatty acids.

In one embodiment, the adjuvant composition of the present inventionfurther comprises, based on 100 pbw of such composition, up to about 10pbw, more typically from about 0.1 pbw to about 5 pbw, of one or morefatty acids.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition of the present inventionfurther comprises, based on 100 pbw of such composition, up to about 7pbw, more typically from about 0.025 pbw to about 7 pbw, of one or morefatty acids.

The adjuvant and pesticide compositions of the present invention mayeach, optionally, further comprise one or more agronomically acceptablesolvent. Suitable solvents include, for example, water, and organicsolvents, such as for example, alkylated aromatic solvents, such astoluene or alkylated naphthalenes and mineral oil fractions, such asparaffinic hydrocarbons, and alcohols, such as ethanol, propanol,butanol, isobutanol, hexanol, 2-ethylhexanol, cyclohexanol,cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol.

In one embodiment, the adjuvant composition of the present inventionfurther comprises, based on 100 pbw of such composition, up to about 25pbw an organic solvent.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition of the present inventionfurther comprises, based on 100 pbw of such composition, up to about 10pbw an organic solvent.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition of the present invention isan aqueous pesticide composition that further comprises water,typically, based on 100 pbw of such composition, up to about 75 pbwwater.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition of the present inventionfurther comprises one or more water conditioners, such as for example,chelating agents, such as ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, complexingagents such as ammonium sulfate, and pH adjusting agents, such as citricacid and polyacrylic acid.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition of the present inventioncomprises, based on 100 pbw of such composition, from about 0.02 toabout 0.3 pbw, more typically from about 0.03 to about 0.2 pbw, of oneor more water conditioners, typically ammonium sulfate.

The pesticide composition of the present invention may, optionally,further comprise, based on 100 pbw of the composition, up to about 1.5pbw of other ingredients, such as one or more additional surfactants,which may include cationic surfactants, such as ethoxylated tallowamines, amphoteric surfactants, such as betaines, additional anionicsurfactants, such as phosphate esters, additional nonionic surfactants,and mixtures thereof, one or more alkylpolyglycosides, one or morethickeners, such as polysaccharide thickeners, and polyacrylamidethickeners.

In one embodiment, the adjuvant composition of the present inventioncontains no or substantially no silicone surfactant. Typically, theadjuvant composition of the present invention does not contain anysilicone surfactant.

In one embodiment, the adjuvant composition of the present inventionconsists essentially of, based on 100 pbw of the composition:

-   -   (a) greater than about 50 pbw of at least one alkyl fatty acid        ester,    -   (b) from about 2 pbw to less than about 5 pbw of a surfactant        comprising:        -   (i) one or more anionic surfactants selected from sulfonic            acids, sulfonic acid esters, alkylsulfosuccinic acid esters,            phosphate esters, sulfate esters, and oleoyltaurate salts,            or        -   (ii) one or more non-ionic surfactants selected from            sorbitan fatty acid esters, aryl alkoxylates, alkoxylated            fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty acids, alkoxylated            triglycerides, ethoxypropoxy copolymers,            alkylpolyglucosides, alkoxylated fatty amines, and ether            amines, or        -   (iii) a mixture (b)(i) and (b)(ii), and    -   (c) optionally, a solvent, and, in yet another embodiment,        consists solely of such ingredients.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition of the present inventioncontains no or substantially no silicone surfactant. Typically, thepesticide composition of the present invention does not contain anysilicone surfactant.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition of the present inventionconsists essentially of, based on 100 parts pbw of the composition

-   -   (a) from about 0.02 pbw to about 7 pbw of at least one alkyl        fatty acid ester,    -   (b) from about 0.001 pbw to about 0.35 pbw of a surfactant        comprising:        -   (i) one or more anionic surfactants selected from sulfonic            acids, sulfonic acid esters, alkylsulfosuccinic acid esters,            phosphate esters, sulfate esters, and oleoyltaurate salts,            or        -   (ii) one or more non-ionic surfactants selected from            sorbitan fatty acid esters, aryl alkoxylates, alkoxylated            fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty acids, alkoxylated            triglycerides, ethoxypropoxy copolymers,            alkylpolyglucosides, alkoxylated fatty amines, and ether            amines, or        -   (iii) a mixture (b)(i) and (b)(ii), and    -   (c) an effective amount of pesticide,    -   (d) water,    -   (e) optionally, one or more water conditioners, and    -   (f) optionally, up to about 25 pbw of one or more organic        solvents,        and, in yet another embodiment, consists solely of such        ingredients.

In one embodiment the pesticide composition is sprayed through a TEEJET™XR 1003 (Spraying Systems, Inc.) flat fan spray nozzle at a pressure offrom about 10 psi to about 90 psi, more typically from about 20 psi toabout 80 psi.

In one embodiment the pesticide composition is sprayed through an airinduction spray nozzle at a pressure of from about 10 psi to about 90psi, more typically from about 20 psi to about 80 psi.

In one embodiment, the pesticide composition is spray applied to atarget plant at a rate of from about 5 to about 50 gallons per acre,more typically from about 10 to about 30 gallons per acre.

Example I

The composition of Example 1 was made by mixing, based on 100 pbw of thecomposition, 95.2 pbw of an alkyl fatty acid ester, 1.8 pbw of a fattyacid, 0.9 pbw of a 60% solution of an anionic surfactant in2-ethylhexanol, and 2.1 pbw of a nonionic surfactant.

Examples 2 and Comparative Examples C1-C3

The compositions of Example 1 and Comparative Examples C1-C3 were madeby mixing the ingredients in the relative amount in parts by volume(pbv) listed below in TABLE I.

TABLE I Ex. # Composition (pbv) 2 0.86 ROUNDUP WEATHERMAX ™herbicide_(a) + 1.25 ALLIANCE ™ water conditioner_(b) + 1 adjuvantcomposition of Ex. 1 C1 0.86 ROUNDUP WEATHERMAX ™ herbicide_(a) C2 0.86ROUNDUP WEATHERMAX ™ herbicide_(a) + 1.25 ALLIANCE ™ waterconditioner_(b) + 1 crop oil concentrate C3 0.86 ROUNDUP WEATHERMAX ™herbicide_(a) + 1.25 ALLIANCE ™ water conditioner_(b) + 1 methylatedseed oil _(a)glyphosate herbicide composition available from Monsanto_(b)ammonium sulfate water conditioner available from Agriliance LLC

The compositions of Example 2 and Comparative Examples C1-C3 were eachspray applied, using a XR 80015™ (Spraying Systems, Inc.) nozzle at 33psi, to target plants, Red Root Pigweed (“RRPW”), lamb's quarter(“LQTR”), and Foxtail, at a rate of 11 ounces of ROUNDUP WEATHERMAX™herbicide per acre and the efficacy of each of the compositions incontrolling the respective target plants was evaluated. Results are setforth below in TABLE II, expressed a “% Control”, calculated asuntreated weed−treated weed.

TABLE II % Control at 11 oz/acre Ex. # RRPW LQTR Foxtail 2 88 87.5 37.5C1 60 65 20 C2 70 70 22.5 C3 72.5 80 35

Example 3-7 and Comparative Examples C4-C7

The compositions of Examples 3-7 and Comparative Examples C4-C6 weremade by mixing the ingredients in the relative amount in parts by volume(pbv) listed below in TABLE III.

TABLE III Ex. # Composition (amount per 100 gallons) 3 22 oz ROUNDUPWEATHERMAX ™ herbicide_(a) + 5 qt ALLIANCE ™ water conditioner_(b) + 2oz adjuvant composition of Ex. 1 4 22 oz ROUNDUP WEATHERMAX ™herbicide_(a) + 5 qt ALLIANCE ™ wnter conditioner_(b) + 4 oz adjuvantcomposition of Ex. 1 5 22 oz ROUNDUP WEATHERMAX ™ herbicide_(a) + 5 qtALLIANCE ™ water conditioner_(b) + 6 oz adjuvant composition of Ex. 1 622 oz ROUNDUP WEATHERMAX ™ herbicide_(a) + 5 qt ALLIANCE ™ waterconditioner_(b) + 8 oz adjuvant composition of Ex. 1 7 22 oz ROUNDUPWEATHERMAX ™ herbicide_(a) + 5 qt ALLIANCE ™ water conditioner_(b) + 16oz adjuvant composition of Ex. 1 C4 22 oz ROUNDUP WEATHERMAX ™herbicide_(a) C5 22 oz ROUNDUP WEATHERMAX ™ herbicide_(a) + 5 qtALLIANCE ™ water conditioner_(b) C6 22 oz ROUNDUP WEATHERMAX ™herbicide_(a) + 5 qt ALLIANCE ™ water conditioner_(b) + 5.5 ozPlacement ™ distillate_(c) C7 22 oz ROUNDUP WEATHERMAX ™ herbicide_(a) +2 qt adjuvant composition of Ex. 1 _(a)glyphosate herbicide compositionavailable from Monsanto _(b)ammonium sulfate water conditioner availablefrom Agriliance LLC _(c)petroleum distillate available from AgrilianceLLC.

A particle size analysis was conducted with ROUNDUP WEATHERMAX™herbicide in combination with several adjuvants, nozzles and pressures.Nozzles and pressures used were: AI11003™ air induction nozzle (SprayingSystems Inc.) at 40, 60 and 80 psi, TT11003 TURBO TEEJET™ nozzle(Spraying Systems Inc.) at 20, 40, 60, and 80 psi, XR11003™ ExtendedRange Flat Fan nozzle (Spraying Systems Inc.) at 20, 40 and 60 psi, andTF2 TURBO FLOODJET™ nozzle (Spraying Systems Inc.) at 15, 27.5 and 40psi. Concentration of the spray volume was 10 gallons per acre (“gpa”).Droplet characteristics recorded were: 220 to 305 μm (“Dv0.1”), 421 to562 μm (“Dv0.5”), and 620 to 853 μm (“Dv0.9”) for spray nozzle pressuresof 40, 60 and 80 psi. percent of volume less than 210 microns (“μm”),percent of the volume greater than 730 μm, and the range of the dropletsize distribution, in μm. The unexpected aspect of this example is thatthe droplet size distribution is independent of the rate of the adjuvantused in the aqueous sprayable glyphosate composition.

Analysis was done using a Sympatec HELOS KF™ laser particle analyzer,equipped with an R6 lens and capable of detecting particle sizes in arange from 0.5 to 1230 microns. Each treatment was replicated threetimes, and replications were run consecutively. The width of the nozzleplume was analyzed by moving the nozzle across the laser by means of alinear actuator. Results are set forth in TABLES IV-VII below.

TABLE IV (Nozzle = AI11003 ™ air induction nozzle) Pressure Range Ex #.(psi) Dv0.1 Dv0.5 Dv0.9 <210 μm >730 μm (μm) C4 40 72 334 636 30.53 3.43870 60 101 355 581 24.33 0.00 730 80 159 383 601 17.03 0.13 759 C5 40 69360 675 30.52 5.10 923 60 128 378 601 20.28 0.58 814 80 162 385 61216.77 1.44 848 C6 40 261 512 749 5.19 11.58 927 60 226 453 697 8.07 6.04820 80 204 415 643 10.76 1.96 827 C7 40 77 326 585 30.50 0.23 776 60 86331 565 29.22 0.00 730 80 119 356 576 22.86 0.00 721 3 40 297 562 8463.42 22.50 970 60 252 480 739 5.83 9.88 950 80 224 432 655 8.15 2.57 8254 40 296 545 793 3.47 16.39 920 60 253 476 714 5.73 7.98 873 80 223 428650 8.29 2.68 827 5 40 303 558 830 3.16 20.40 970 60 253 473 711 5.787.57 873 80 220 421 623 8.64 0.68 515 6 40 305 560 853 3.10 21.76 110360 251 471 716 6.00 8.30 980 80 218 421 644 8.90 2.83 827 7 40 304 555815 3.11 18.91 970 60 250 469 699 5.97 6.16 820 80 222 428 655 8.48 3.15880

TABLE V (Nozzle = TT11003 TURBO TEEJET ™ nozzle) Pressure Range Ex. #(psi) Dv0.1 Dv0.5 Dv0.9 <210 μm >730 μm (μm) C4 20 196 423 686 11.805.60 934 40 134 329 594 24.83 2.37 844 60 108 284 546 33.43 0.87 848 8095 255 506 39.57 0.00 712 C5 20 191 413 671 12.55 4.49 934 40 135 329599 24.71 2.56 897 60 109 280 539 34.00 0.69 848 80 95 250 497 40.280.18 805 C6 20 221 449 712 8.62 7.63 940 40 139 303 511 26.15 0.08 74660 110 246 451 38.63 0.00 708 80 94 213 406 49.08 0.00 592 C7 20 257 520792 5.82 15.53 927 40 161 365 584 17.65 0.40 790 60 125 309 545 27.160.61 799 80 102 268 485 35.47 0.00 711 3 20 207 417 621 10.38 0.00 68740 136 295 496 27.42 0.00 699 60 108 239 423 41.23 0.00 668 80 92 205375 51.70 0.00 592 4 20 205 414 632 10.62 1.67 780 40 131 282 477 30.080.00 699 60 103 227 410 44.84 0.00 588 80 89 194 354 55.90 0.00 527 5 20203 407 600 10.89 0.00 687 40 128 278 473 31.08 0.00 702 60 103 226 40944.96 0.00 588 80 91 193 353 56.39 0.00 561 20 205 414 635 10.57 2.25827 40 128 276 473 31.37 0.00 701 60 101 222 405 46.11 0.00 588 80 86186 343 58.73 0.00 595 20 210 415 617 10.02 0.70 734 40 126 273 46432.05 0.00 704 60 100 217 399 47.64 0.00 589 80 85 185 345 59.31 0.00528

TABLE VI (Nozzle = XR11003 ™ Extended Range Flat Fan nozzle) PressureRange Ex. # (psi) Dv0.1 Dv0.5 Dv0.9 <210 μm >730 μm (μm) C4 20 116 311529 27.23 0.00 717 40 65 192 363 55.90 0.00 562 60 55 168 315 64.73 0.00530 C5 20 116 296 509 29.29 0.00 675 40 65 188 361 57.05 0.00 595 60 56165 316 65.99 0.00 497 C6 20 133 275 456 30.74 0.00 621 40 102 215 37048.19 0.00 588 60 90 195 337 56.16 0.00 525 3 20 198 369 547 11.82 0.00680 40 136 255 402 33.08 0.00 581 60 114 220 349 45.77 0.00 489 4 20 198370 554 11.86 0.00 682 40 139 260 404 31.34 0.00 481 60 115 222 35045.06 0.00 524 5 20 198 369 544 11.97 0.00 642 40 141 262 405 30.85 0.00579 60 116 223 352 44.61 0.00 489 6 20 195 367 547 12.43 0.00 682 40 141265 413 30.06 0.00 582 60 116 225 354 43.77 0.00 492 7 20 178 338 51116.36 0.00 647 40 130 249 394 35.38 0.00 585 60 111 218 350 46.89 0.00494

TABLE VII (Nozzle = TURBO FLOODJET TF2 ™ nozzle) Pressure Range Ex. #(psi) Dv0.1 Dv0.5 Dv0.9 <210 μm >730 μm (μm) C4 15 228 506 759 8.1012.97 822 27.5 164 454 809 15.97 16.27 999 40 136 413 759 20.73 11.831004 C5 15 231 524 792 8.00 17.06 929 e 27.5 167 463 826 15.43 17.631126 I 40 142 421 786 19.83 13.52 1069 C6 15 256 573 890 6.17 27.69 105827.5 176 424 722 14.74 8.83 987 40 145 360 646 21.61 4.04 890 3 15 228521 818 8.20 18.85 980 27.5 171 409 685 15.77 5.61 934 40 140 345 60723.28 2.50 839 4 15 218 505 823 9.09 17.99 980 27.5 165 396 678 16.915.57 934 40 135 332 594 24.97 2.21 839 5 15 216 493 790 9.37 14.97 98027.5 168 398 679 16.41 5.53 880 40 132 323 585 26.35 1.87 892 6 15 215491 777 9.40 13.93 980 27.5 162 389 672 17.65 5.15 993 40 129 314 58627.82 2.33 844 7 15 227 514 820 8.22 18.33 980 27.5 161 387 655 17.793.71 833 40 132 328 596 25.95 2.31 921

Example 8 and Comparative Example C8

The aqueous composition of Example 8 contained, based on 5 gallons ofthe composition, 4 ounces AMISTAR™ fungicide (Syngenta), 4 ounces of theadjuvant composition of Example 1, 1 pint PREFERENCE™ nonionicsurfactant (Agriliance LLC), and SPREADER STICKER™ nonionic surfactant.

The aqueous composition of Comparative Example C8 was directly analogousto the composition of Example 8, except that it did not contain theadjuvant of Example 1.

Plots 1-8 each contained rows of potato plants. Strips of watersensitive paper (each 1 inch by 3 inches (Spraying Systems Inc.)) wereplaced at four locations in each plot at each of three different heightsrelative to the foliage canopy, that is, above the canopy, in the middleof the canopy, and below the canopy.

The composition Comparative Example C8 was applied to Plots 1-4 and thecomposition of Example 8 was applied to Plots 5-8, in each case byaerial spray from an AIR TRACTOR 502™ aircraft through CP® Flat FanNozzles at a rate of 5 gallons per acre.

The amount of spray that reached the various locations within thefoliage canopy of each of the Plots was determined by counting thenumber of droplet within each of 4 spots (1 cm² each) on each strip ofwater sensitive paper after each spray application. Results are givenbelow in TABLE IX as (droplets/cm² paper).

TABLE IX four counts per water sensitive Plot Canopy Ex. # paper (waterdroplets/cm² paper) Ave. 1 A C8 11 13 14 11 12.25 2 A C8 12 6 2 6 6.50 3A C8 29 20 26 23 24.50 4 A C8 25 16 24 28 23.25 1 B C8 7 8 8 10 8.25 2 BC8 14 6 10 6 9.00 3 B C8 13 18 11 12 13.50 4 B C8 8 10 11 3 8.00 1 M C85 18 12 8 10.75 2 M C8 9 5 3 3 5.00 3 M C8 22 19 5 3 12.25 4 M C8 20 2115 24 20.00 5 A 8 26 18 16 21 20.25 6 A 8 22 17 15 25 19.75 7 A 8 19 1921 31 22.50 8 A 8 25 30 32 23 27.50 5 B 8 19 15 8 9 12.75 6 B 8 10 14 2221 16.75 7 B 8 19 15 14 8 14.00 8 B 8 21 33 25 28 26.75 5 M 8 14 11 1411 12.50 6 M 8 13 8 17 10 12.00 7 M 8 17 36 35 21 27.25 8 M 8 34 37 4830 37.25

The overall averages and standard deviations were determined for theresults given in TABLE IX and are given in TABLE X below.

TABLE X Ex. # Canopy Average Std. Dev. C8 A 16.6 8.5 C8 B 9.7 3.6 C8 M12.0 7.7 8 A 22.5 9.0 8 B 17.6 7.3 8 M 22.3 12.4

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for treating a target plant with apesticide, the method comprising: obtaining an adjuvant composition, theadjuvant composition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight: about 95parts by weight of an alkyl fatty acid ester; and about 3 parts byweight of a surfactant comprising: about 1 part by weight of a 60%solution of at least one anionic surfactant in 2-ethylhexanol; and about2 parts by weight of at least one nonionic surfactant; combining theadjuvant composition with an effective amount of a pesticide; andspraying the combined adjuvant composition and pesticide onto thefoliage of the target plant.
 2. The method of claim 1, the adjuvantcomposition further comprising at least one additional oil.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the combined adjuvant composition andpesticide is applied at a rate of from about 5 gallons per acre to about50 gallons per acre.
 4. A method for treating a target plant with apesticide, the method comprising: obtaining an adjuvant composition, theadjuvant composition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight: about 95parts by weight of an alkyl fatty acid ester; and about 3 parts byweight of a surfactant comprising at least one anionic surfactant and atleast one nonionic surfactant, the anionic and nonionic surfactantcombined at a ratio by weight of about 0.6 to about 2; combining theadjuvant composition with an effective amount of a pesticide; andspraying the combined adjuvant composition and pesticide onto thefoliage of the target plant.
 5. The method of claim 4, the adjuvantcomposition further comprising at least one additional oil.
 6. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the combined adjuvant composition andpesticide is applied at a rate of from about 5 gallons per acre to about50 gallons per acre.
 7. The method of claim 4, the adjuvant compositionfurther comprising a fatty acid.
 8. A method for treating a target plantwith a pesticide composition, the method comprising: obtaining apesticide composition, the pesticide composition comprising: an adjuvantcomposition, the adjuvant composition, comprising, based on 100 parts byweight: about 95 parts by weight of an alkyl fatty acid ester; and about3 parts by weight of a surfactant comprising at least one anionicsurfactant and a nonionic surfactant, wherein the surfactant comprisesno more than one nonionic surfactant; and an effective amount of apesticide; and spraying the pesticide composition onto the foliage ofthe target plant.
 9. The method of claim 8, the adjuvant compositionfurther comprising at least one additional oil.
 10. The method of claim8, wherein the pesticide composition is applied at a rate of from about5 gallons per acre to about 50 gallons per acre.
 11. The method of claim8, the adjuvant composition further comprising a fatty acid.
 12. Amethod for treating a target plant with a pesticide, the methodcomprising: obtaining an adjuvant composition, the adjuvant compositioncomprising, based on 100 parts by weight: about 95 parts by weight of analkyl fatty acid ester; and about 3 parts by weight of a surfactantcomprising at least one anionic surfactant and at least one nonionicsurfactant, wherein the surfactant does not include an alkoxylatedsorbitan fatty acid ester; combining the adjuvant composition with aneffective amount of a pesticide; and spraying the combined adjuvantcomposition and pesticide onto the foliage of the target plant.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, the adjuvant composition further comprising at leastone additional oil.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the combinedadjuvant composition and pesticide is applied at a rate of from about 5gallons per acre to about 50 gallons per acre.
 15. The method of claim12, the adjuvant composition further comprising a fatty acid.
 16. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the combined adjuvant composition andpesticide is applied at a pressure sufficient to obtain a volume ofpesticide droplets smaller than 210 μm of between about 12 percent andabout 47 percent of a total volume of sprayed droplets.
 17. The methodof claim 16, wherein the combined adjuvant composition and pesticide isapplied at a pressure of 40, 60, or 80 pounds per square inch.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the combined adjuvant composition andpesticide is applied using an extended range flat fan spray nozzle. 19.The method of claim 1, wherein: the at least one anionic surfactant isselected from sulfonic acids, sulfonic acid esters, alkylsulfosuccinicacid esters, phosphate esters, sulfate esters, and oleoyltaurate salts;and the at least one nonionic surfactant is selected from sorbitan fattyacid esters, aryl aloxylates, alkoxylated fatty alcohols, alkoxylatedfatty acids, alkoxylated triglycerides, alkoxy copolymers,alkylpolyglucosides, alkoxylated fatty amines, and ether amines.
 20. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the combined adjuvant composition andpesticide is applied at a pressure sufficient to obtain a volume ofpesticide droplets smaller than 210 μm of between about 12 percent andabout 47 percent of a total volume of sprayed pesticide droplets. 21.The method of claim 20, wherein the combined adjuvant composition andpesticide is applied at a pressure of 20, 40, or 60 pounds per squareinch.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the combined adjuvantcomposition and pesticide is applied using an extended range flat fanspray nozzle.
 23. The method of claim 4, wherein: the at least oneanionic surfactant is selected from sulfonic acids, sulfonic acidesters, alkylsulfosuccinic acid esters, phosphate esters, sulfateesters, and oleoyltaurate salts; and the at least one nonionicsurfactant is selected from sorbitan fatty acid esters, aryl aloxylates,alkoxylated fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty acids, alkoxylatedtriglycerides, alkoxy copolymers, alkylpolyglucosides, alkoxylated fattyamines, and ether amines.
 24. The method of claim 8, wherein thesurfactant comprises about 1 part by weight of a 60% solution of atleast one anionic surfactant in 2-ethylhexanol, and about 2 parts byweight of the nonionic surfactant.
 25. The method of claim 8, wherein:the at least one anionic surfactant is selected from sulfonic acids,sulfonic acid esters, alkylsulfosuccinic acid esters, phosphate esters,sulfate esters, and oleoyltaurate salts; and the nonionic surfactant isselected from sorbitan fatty acid esters, aryl aloxylates, alkoxylatedfatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty acids, alkoxylated triglycerides,alkoxy copolymers, alkylpolyglucosides, alkoxylated fatty amines, andether amines.
 26. The method of claim 12, wherein the surfactantcomprises about 1 part by weight of a 60% solution of at least oneanionic surfactant in 2-ethylhexanol, and about 2 parts by weight of atleast one nonionic surfactant.